More On Authenticity and Leadership

Continuing on the theme of authenticity in leadership . . . .

In The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner, there is a powerful passage on how leaders need to be authentic, sincere, and passionate.

You must know what you care about.  If you don't care, how can you expect others to do so?  If you don't burn with desire to be true to something you hold passionately, how can you expect commitment from others?  And until you get close enough to flame to feel the heat, how can you know the source? You can only be authentic when you lead according to the principles that matter most to you.  Otherwise you're just putting on an act.

Many leaders pour their efforts into many areas.  Beyond their normal job, they may be passionate about a non-profit organization, passionate about an artistic hobby, or passionate about athletic endeavors.  Being passionate in many areas of life is important to be an authentic leader.